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Health, Safety, and Environmental Quality
K-State Research and Extension and the College of Agriculture

Mitch Ricketts, CSP
 Health, Safety, and Environmental Coordinator
 105D Waters Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
 mrickett@oznet.ksu.edu
785-532-7068

 
   
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Agronomy Committee
 
Location:

Agronomy
2004 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center
Manhattan, KS  66506-4008
785-532-6101

Chairpersons:

Fred Caldwell, Research Technologist fcaldwel@oznet.ksu.edu
Gary Pierzynski, Professor, Soil Chemistry gmp@oznet.ksu.edu

Committee Members:

Mark Claassen, Agronomist-in-Charge, Harvey County mclaasse@oznet.ksu.edu
Russell Dille, Assistant Scientist rdille@oznet.ksu.edu
Gary Griffith, Chemist I ggriff@oznet.ksu.edu
Keith Janssen, Agronomist-in-Charge, East Central Kansas kjanssen@oznet.ksu.edu
Mark Leuthold, Equipment Mechanic II mleuthol@oznet.ksu.edu
Cathy Minihan, Assistant Scientist cminihan@oznet.ksu.edu
Larry Patterson, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor lpatters@oznet.ksu.edu
Dave Regehr, Professor, Extension Specialist dregehr@oznet.ksu.edu
Stan Rundquist, Plant Science Technician II srundqui@oznet.ksu.edu

Objectives:

Year Classification Item
2005 Objective Continue to improve communications with workers regarding safety training by developing e-mail lists for targeted notices of training opportunities
2005 Objective Establish safety training schedules based on need by developing a searchable database of training required and completed for each employee.
2005 Objective Ensure all labs meet required standards for chemical storage, waste disposal, spill clean-up, container labeling, and proper equipment utilization. Continue the lab walk-through visits and make on-the-spot corrective action recommendations. Purchase necessary equipment and supplies to meet these requirements.
2005 Objective Continue to evaluate situations and educate workers on safety related issues. Send out periodic safety tips and checklists via email to revitalize safety awareness.
2005 Objective Continue efforts to replace outdated and potentially hazardous equipment (e.g., mercury containing devices) with newer and safer alternatives.

Accomplishments:

Year Classification Item
2004 Accomplished Provided safety training to employees and students relating to forklifts, skid steer loaders, pesticides, formaldehyde, and hazardous waste compliance
2004 Accomplished Provided pesticide decontamination stations in remote areas of the North farm.
2004 Accomplished Improved communications with workers regarding safety issues, training needs and opportunities.
2004 Accomplished Collected all unused neutron probes and returned them to the manufacturer in order to reduce radioactive exposure issues.
2004 Accomplished Conducted periodic inspections to address farm machinery and noise hazards, pesticides, hazardous waste, and other safety issues.
2004 Accomplished Reduced targeted safety and compliance problems during the year by 72% in laboratories and by 47% at farms, greenhouses, and shops as documented by audits from the K-State Research & Extension safety office.
2004 Accomplished Provided employee medical surveillance including hearing tests, pulmonary function tests, cholinesterase blood tests, and tetanus vaccines.
2004 Accomplished Conducted department-wide solid waste review.
2004 Accomplished Installed twelve new eyewash stations and eight new first aid kits in laboratories.
2004 Accomplished Eliminated hazards due to incompatible chemical storage in eight laboratories.
2004 Accomplished Conducted a complete clean-out of old chemicals from two laboratories
2004 Accomplished Eliminated indoor air pollution due to a malfunctioning vacuum pump.
2004 Accomplished Provided fit tests for employees who wear respirators.
2004 Accomplished Eliminated hazards related to fire safety.
2004 Accomplished Initiated development of a procedure to provide standardized safety training based on need for new and existing employees.
2003 Accomplished Solicited employee input on safety by means of a survey.
2003 Accomplished Conducted a thorough review and update of pesticide safety practices at all sites in compliance with EPA’s Worker Protection Standard.
2003 Accomplished Installed personnel chemical decontamination kits on all tractors.
2003 Accomplished Posted signs to indicate tornado refuge areas.
2003 Accomplished Posted hazardous waste safety information in all labs and shops where chemicals are used.
2003 Accomplished Provided fit tests for employees who wear respirators.
2003 Accomplished Installed 17 new flammable storage cabinets in 32 labs serving 24 faculty members.
2003 Accomplished Installed a clothes washer and clothes dryer at the North Agronomy Farm for use in cleaning protective clothing.
2003 Accomplished Provided employee medical surveillance including hearing tests, pulmonary function tests, cholinesterase blood tests, and tetanus vaccines.
2003 Accomplished Performed a safety walk-through of farm operations.
2003 Accomplished Repaired malfunctioning laboratory fume hoods.
2003 Accomplished Conducted chemical safety and hazardous waste inspections in all laboratories and farm operations, helped employees resolve chemical safety issues, and disposed of waste chemicals through K-State Public Safety.
2003 Accomplished Provided chemical spill control supplies to areas where chemicals are used.
2003 Accomplished Revised pesticide rinsate procedures.
2003 Accomplished Provided the following training to employees and students: pesticide worker protection standard training, Farm Bureau distracted driver training, lab safety, chemical spill control, and hazardous waste disposal.
2003 Accomplished Installed safety showers and eyewash stations at the North Agronomy Farm and Ashland Research Farm.
2003 Accomplished Improved maintenance shop lighting at the Ashland Research Farm and the North Agronomy Farm.
2002 Accomplished Developed an emergency action plan, including evacuation routes, safe assembly areas and faculty/staff emergency responsibilities.
2002 Accomplished Improved pesticide safety in the Throckmorton greenhouses, and provided pesticide safety training to students and employees.
2002 Accomplished Established a self-inspection procedure for periodically reviewing and improving hazardous waste handling, storage, and disposal practices.
2002 Accomplished Provided medical surveillance related to hearing conservation, respiratory protection, and pesticides to affected employees.
2002 Accomplished Provided safety committee training.
2002 Accomplished Developed an incident reporting system.
2002 Accomplished The committee was trained August 28, 2002.
2002 Accomplished Ergonomics training has been provided to office employees.
2002 Accomplished Medical surveillance related to hearing conservation, respiratory protection, and pesticides has been provided to affected employees.
2002 Accomplished Building floor plans have been drawn showing Emergency Evacuation Routes and Safe Assembly Areas for both natural and man-made emergencies and threats. Responsible faculty/staff positions have been designated to notify occupants, clear the building, and expedite evacuation.
2002 Accomplished The committee is exploring ways to make additional safety training available, particularly to students.
2002 Accomplished Provided ergonomics training to office employees.

 

Kansas State University
 Mitch Ricketts